Ontario Demerit Points System

Drivers convicted of certain driving-related offences have demerit points recorded on their records. It is a common misconception that drivers "lose" points due to convictions for certain traffic offences. In fact, a driver begins with zero demerit points and accumulates demerit points for convictions. Demerit points stay on your record for two years from the offence date. If you collect enough points, you can lose your driver's licence.

Below is a table outlining the demerit point penalties for driving offences:

Failing to move, where possible, into another lane when passing a stopped emergency vehicle

Improper passing

Improper use of high occupancy vehicle lane

2 Points

Improper opening of a vehicle door

Prohibited turns

Towing people — on toboggans, bicycles, skis, etc.

Failing to obey signs

Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing

Failing to share the road

Improper right turn

Improper left turn

Failing to signal

Unnecessary slow driving

Reversing on a divided high-speed road

Driver failing to wear a seat belt

Driver failing to ensure that a passenger less than 23 kg is properly secured

Driver failing to ensure that a passenger under 16 years is wearing a seat belt

Failing to lower headlamp beams

Backing on a highway

Driver failing to ensure infant/child passenger is properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system or booster seat

Demerit Points and New Drivers

As a Class G1, G2, M1 or M2 driver, if you get two or more demerit points, you will be sent a warning letter.

At six points, you may have to go to an interview to discuss your record and give reasons why your licence should not be suspended. If you don't attend, your licence may be suspended.

At nine points, your licence will be suspended for 60 days from the date you surrender it to the Ministry of Transportation. You can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to surrender your licence. A driver's licence may be surrendered at any Driver & Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, Ministry of Transportation Queen's Park Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, or mailed to:

DriveTest centres do not accept surrendered licences for suspension purposes.

After the suspension, the number of points on your record will be reduced to four. Any additional points could again bring you to the interview level. If you reach nine points again, your licence can be suspended for six months from the date you surrender it to the Ministry of Transportation.

Demerit Points and Fully Licensed Drivers

As a fully licensed driver, if you get six demerit points, you will be sent a warning letter.

At nine points, you may have to go to an interview to discuss your record and give reasons why your licence should not be suspended. If you don't attend, your licence may be suspended.

At 15 or more points, your licence will be suspended for 30 days from the date you surrender it to the Ministry of Transportation for the first suspension. You can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to surrender your licence. A driver's licence may be surrendered at any Driver & Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, Ministry of Transportation Queen's Park Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, or mailed to:

DriveTest centres do not accept surrendered licences for suspension purposes.

After the suspension you may be required to complete a driver re-examination (vision, knowledge and road tests), the number of points on your record will be reduced to seven. Any extra points could again bring you to the interview level. If you reach 15 points again, your licence will be suspended for six months.

Demerit Points for Out-of-Province Convictions

Drivers convicted of a driving related offence in the State of New York, the State of Michigan or any Canadian province or territory, will have home jurisdictional penalties such as demerit points and/or suspensions applied to their Ontario driver record as if the offence occurred in Ontario.

Examples of out-of-province convictions where Ontario demerit points and /or suspensions will be applied include:

Traffic

Criminal

Speeding

Fail to obey stop sign

Fail to obey signal light

Fail to stop for school bus

Racing

Fail to remain or return to the scene of a collision

Careless driving

Motor manslaughter

Criminal negligence

Dangerous driving

Failure to remain at scene of a collision

Impaired Driving

Driving while disqualified or prohibited

The Ontario Registrar of Motor Vehicles is required to keep these records under Section 205 of the Highway Traffic Act and may use them for the purposes of administering the Ministry's Demerit Point System. Inquiries should be directed to:

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